Principal Manufacturing Engineer (Engineer Manufacturing 4) - 29068

Summary

HII-Australia is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to join the team! This position will be located in Henderson, Australia.

Drive the uplift of Australia’s defence manufacturing capability through high‑stakes supplier audits and maturity assessments. Influence program outcomes by applying deep technical judgement across investigations, risk assessments and assurance activities.

• Extensive experience within the US or UK Naval Nuclear enterprise, applying technical or engineering expertise in high‑integrity, safety‑critical environments.
• Deep working knowledge of MILSPECs and NAVSEA requirements, including SUBSAFE and nuclear‑classified component standards.
• Proven subject‑matter expertise in nuclear‑related manufacturing disciplines such as weld engineering, machining, forging/casting and advanced manufacturing processes. 

About you:

You are a seasoned manufacturing engineering professional who thrives in complex, high‑accountability environments where technical excellence and disciplined execution matter. You bring a deep understanding of manufacturing processes, supplier capability and engineering governance, and you know how to apply that knowledge to real‑world challenges with clarity, confidence and sound judgement.

You are comfortable leading supplier audits, guiding corrective action programs and shaping the maturity of supply chains through rigorous assessment, coaching and continuous improvement. You have a natural ability to mentor others, share knowledge and elevate the capability of the people around you. You take pride in being a trusted technical authority who can interpret standards, assess risk and make informed decisions across the engineering lifecycle.

You communicate with transparency and respect, building strong working relationships across teams, suppliers and stakeholders. You are motivated by purpose and aligned to values that emphasise integrity, accountability, safety and excellence. You understand the importance of a nuclear‑minded safety culture and bring a disciplined, detail‑driven approach to every task. You are proactive in identifying hazards, resolving issues and maintaining a safe working environment for yourself and others. You are adaptable and prepared for frequent interstate travel, with the flexibility to support overseas engagements when required. Above all, you are committed to continuous learning, professional growth and contributing to a culture where people support one another and deliver with pride.

Key Responsibilities:

• Play a pivotal role in strengthening supplier capability, ensuring compliance and embedding technical excellence across our programs.
• Lead and support onboarding audits, conduct supplier assessments and guide the development of corrective actions that uplift manufacturing maturity and ensure suppliers meet contractual and technical requirements.
• Plan and execute independent assurance activities, maintain accurate audit records and contribute to program reviews with clear, evidence‑based engineering insight.
• Your work will directly influence procurement decisions, operational planning and the integration of technical requirements across the supply chain.
• Conduct complex investigations, apply engineering judgement to resolve issues and produce high‑quality technical documentation that supports through‑life knowledge capture.
• Lead discussions with internal and external customers, provide expert advice across your discipline and contribute to the development of business artefacts that support successful bids.
• Help shape engineering processes, drive continuous improvement and champion standardised manufacturing and supplier due‑diligence practices.
• As a leader, you will guide and mentor engineering practitioners, support succession planning and foster a culture of clear communication, capability development and operational excellence.
• Contribute to trade control compliance, ensuring best‑practice behaviours are embedded across relevant activities.
• In every aspect of the role, you will uphold our organizations values—acting with integrity, respect and accountability, prioritising safety, striving for excellence and supporting your colleagues as part of a mission‑focused team.

What you need to have:

• 9 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 7 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; 4 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in realted field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 13 years relevant experience.
• Experience working in a technical or engineering role within the US or UK Naval Nuclear industry.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), sustainment operations, infrastructure. delivery from concept to commissioning, safety case definition/production/substantiation, environmental management.
• Experience with MILSPECs and/or NAVSEA instructions, specifically relating to SUBSAFE or nuclear‑classified components.
• Subject matter expertise in weld engineering, machining, forging/casting or advanced manufacturing techniques.
• NQA‑1 Lead Auditor qualification.
• Working knowledge of Export/Trade Controls associated with defence products.
• ASQ Certified Auditor or ISO 9001 Certified Auditor.
• Demonstrated capability in leading supplier audits, corrective action programs and manufacturing maturity assessments.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, engineering governance and supplier capability development.
• Proven ability to interpret technical standards, assess risk and apply engineering judgement across complex programs.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and build trusted relationships.
• Commitment to safety, integrity and disciplined engineering practice.
• Ability to travel interstate frequently and support international engagements when required.